The Delaware State Police has arrested 49-year-old Badara Kone of Smyrna, Delaware, for the murder of his 10-year-old daughter, Fatima Kone, and the continuous child abuse of two additional children.
On May 28, 2026, at approximately 2:00 a.m., troopers responded to a residence on Oakwynn Circle in Smyrna where Fatima Kone was found deceased in her bedroom. During the initial investigation, responding troopers requested assistance from the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit.
The preliminary investigation revealed that on May 27, 2026, Badara struck Fatima numerous times with a leather belt, as self-described discipline, causing serious physical injury. While being struck, the child fell to the ground and is believed to have hit her head on a piece of furniture. Following the assault, her siblings in the home assisted the victim to her bedroom. She was later found deceased, but 9-1-1 was not notified for an extended period of time.
During the investigation, the two male siblings, a 15-year-old and an 11-year-old, were transported to an area hospital for precautionary wellness evaluations. There, detectives obtained evidence supporting the fact that the children had been continuously physically abused officials said.
On May 28, 2026, Badara was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the offenses listed below for the abuse of the male children. He was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to the Delaware Department of Correction on a $17,000 cash bond.
Continuous Child Abuse Intentionally/Recklessly Engages in 3 or More Acts – 2 Counts (Felony)
Child Abuse Fourth Degree – 8 counts
Fatima’s body was turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science, where an autopsy classified the death as a homicide caused by multiple blunt-force injuries.
On June 1, 2026, the Delaware Department of Justice authorized a charge of Murder by Abuse or Neglect Second Degree (Felony). A warrant was approved, and Badara was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 2. He remaines in custody of the Delaware Department of Correction on a $180,000 cash bond.
